some takeaways from the Patriots' dramatic loss to the Raiders

The Patriots-Raiders game had a startling ending as it seemed destined for overtime but was stopped in 
the dying seconds by a puzzling and devastating move by New England.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Patriots initially trailed by 14 points at the half before mounting a remarkable comeback to briefly grab the lead. Then, however, things started to go wrong as the offence blew the game's final play with Chandler Jones taking an unfortunate lateral to the house for the most shocking game-ending since the Miami Miracle in 2018. First, the defence allowed a late game-tying touchdown, and then the offence blew the game's final play.
 
 
 
The Raiders' surprising 30-24 victory put a significant dent in the Patriots' playoff hopes.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A blocked punt right before the half loomed enormous, as the Patriots' blunders stacked up and directly affected the score. The late-game error equaled the early-game errors.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Patriots were unable to create a strong enough offensive effort to offset their own errors and the dangerous weapons on the Vegas squad that produced enough plays to win, even with a boost from Kyle Dugger's pick-six and numerous defensive stops. While Davante Adams was well defended against by a battered New England secondary, Rhamondre Stevenson had a good game with several excellent runs.
 
 
 
Unfortunately, the Patriots lost, dropping to 7-7 with three games remaining. Here's what happened and what the main lessons were.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Early penalties and errors reduce the score.
 
 
 
The Raiders took the opening kickoff and embarked on a lengthy drive, but the drive ultimately came to an end due to two self-inflicted penalties, a delay of game call, and an ineligible receiver downfield who cost them ten yards in the high red zone. The promising drive was ended with a field goal to start the game.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
After a first four-and-out, the Patriots offence would regain its footing on their second possession. Mac Jones struck Tyquan Thornton on a crucial third-down conversion to keep the drive going.
 
 
 
However, as has happened far too frequently this season, the Patriots' offence would stall as they got closer to the end zone. They were forced to settle for a 24-yard field goal despite having a first-and-goal situation from the two-yard line.
 
 
 
On 4th-and-goal from the two, New England initially demonstrated that they were going for it. However, Mac Jones snapped the ball for the QB sneak before Jonnu Smith was set, and the ensuing penalty—a false start—moved them back five yards and eliminated the option of going for it. Following a timeout that prevented what would've been a Jakobi Meyers score, this happened. The Patriots' sloppiness and communication errors persisted in the red zone.